Naked: The Blackstone Affair, Book 1

This book was jointly reviewed for totallybookedblog.comGitte: I loved this novella. And yes it is a novella first 1 of 3. It is what it is....and does exactly what it says on the tin so can't be judged on that. It is fast paced, sexy and a clever piece of writing. The Prologue is IMPORTANT...Jenny: Sometimes I love novella's. That is, as long as they have enough depth, however sometimes they are just a fast read with not much happening. Well this one was definitely the former. Considering this was only 115 pages- the story for me, seemed to have enough depth and I found there was enough character development for the story to work well. To be honest, I've read 300 page books with less depth and character development. Yes it was fast paced, but the story never left me behind. I really loved it.And yes! The prologue IS important!Gitte: The characters are totally lovable especially the "Oh.My.Gawd you are HOT" Mr. Ethan Blackstone; you are not only lovable...you are completely shaggable!!!Jenny: Geez Ethan............wow! Ethan.......can you tell I'm speechless here GG? He is just DIVINE! And the authors inspiration for Ethan? Hold us back it's David Gandy!!Gitte: It had a great storyline, well from what we were told so far, and the steam factor - off the charts!Jenny: I agree. I loved the storyline. I was reading it on a flight and it certainly made that go quicker. I was totally engrossed in this story. The steam factor - well, it was steaming alright! What a hot read it was. Raine Miller can certainly write sex scenes that's for sure!Gitte: So...I live just outside London, I was part of the run up to the Olympics...it made me feel part of this story. It became real and I was part of it...I mean I even saw Ethan at the opening Ceremony. Oh sorry...hang on... I mean the gorgeous amazing man that is David Gandy. Yeah true story for those of you who missed it! Okay I have to apologize here; I am obsessed with this man if you didn't know this already. Right I am drifting off the subject here....Jenny: Oh obsess away.....I'm right there with you girlfriend! We do share a mutual love of all things Gandy don't we? Whoops...I lost track there for a minute as well. Yes, I loved how the Olympics build up was brought into it because it gave you a point of recognition and made you feel part of the story and I always love it when that happens.Gitte: So we have Brynne; our heroine. An American student, studying in London, who does some tasteful nude modelling in her spare time in order to make a bit of extra money. She has a past, which from the hints looks to be quite serious, affecting her emotionally, behaviourally and her way of life. I NEED to know what this is all about. Brynne is adorably sweet and I liked her, but she seems quite traumatized as I said by something/someone.Jenny: I really loved Brynne. I don't know how to explain it, but there was something about her that drew me in even before we learn that there is something troubling from her past. I found her relatable and really nice is all I can think of -I really did like her character. She is living the good life and pretty much coasting along, studying art and doing part time nude modelling when Ethan comes "out of the blue" and rocks her world. Can she give herself over to Ethan?Gitte: And then we have *sigh* Ethan Blackstone, English ex-special forces who now works for an elite security company. True alpha male dominant and who or what Ethan wants; Ethan gets. Ethan too seems to have something in the past that has affected him, making him the man he is today. So I cannot wait for the next book `All In' to get his POV.Jenny: Ethan. Meh he wasn't much cop! Kidding!!!! ! This guy had it all. He was so alpha, so in tune with who he is and just says it how he sees or it....or does he? The chemistry and the sex between Brynne and Ethan absolutely sizzles and you really do feel the connection between them. I cannot wait to hear Ethan's POV in the next book either! Thank goodness we don't have to wait long because I couldn't stand it!"I want to be with you so badly right now. I want to take you home with me, and put you in my bed and have hours and hours with your body wrapped in mine to do with as I wish. I want to have you there in the morning so when we wake up I can make you come, saying my name" (Oh okay Ethan, if you insist )Gitte: So, I am not going to say why or how, because that would spoil a lot....but he meets Brynne at the Gallery where her naked portrait is exhibited and this is where their journey begins. Ethan takes one look at her picture and knows he has to have her...In Naked we have 2 Flawed Characters, Mystery, Ethan, Sex, London, Suspense & yeah Ethan....what more could you ask for?Naked, despite being a novella, had a feel of 50 Shades and Bared to You I thought.Oh and this novella has a HUGE cliff hanger and we all know how I feel about those and I don't swear....much! That is all...."The sex never ended with this man. And I was on board the sexy train right with him, flashing my frequent traveler pass." (where do we buy a ticket?)Jenny: It didn't have a Fifty feel for me though - maybe because Ethan is more subtle if you like but it did have a Bared to You feel about it.As you said GG, it may be a novella but it had plenty of story to keep me interested.The cliffhanger...argghhh it did drive me nuts but at least we don't have long to wait. The Ethan POV chapter at the end had me chomping at the bit for the next book! Can't wait.

"That picture changed everything. I was not the same after I saw it and I couldn't go back to the man I'd been before seeing it either. Not after we met that night on the street. My whole world altered because of a photograph. A photograph of my beautiful American girl."The Blackstone Affair series follows world-renowned security expert and owner of Blackstone International Ltd., Ethan Blackstone in his whirlwind romance with American born University of London student Brynne Bennett.Their story is nothing short of spectacular! Follow them through ups and downs across the globe as Brynne's past comes back to haunt her and Ethan sets out to protect and solve the mystery of who is out to hurt her. It's a treacherous and deadly high stake political game involving the Vice Presidency for the United States. No one is safe, and neither is the heart of sworn playboy Ethan. One look at Brynne and he is determined to have her at all cost.Books should be read in order:Naked (Book 1)All In (book 2)Eyes Wide Open (book 3)Untitled (book 4) - Stand-alone epilogue to be released late 2013Naked (book 1) follows Ethan and Brynne during their initial meeting and the blossoming romance that follows. The story opens up with an email sent by Brynne's dad to his long-time poker buddy Ethan asking him to help protect his daughter studying in London. Little facts are given initially, but will instead slowly unfold throughout series as Ethan sets out not only to guard Brynne but to win her heart and own her. He will stop at nothing."No," I said slowly, trying to put the brakes on my escalating heart beat, "I did not give you my number last night." Why was he calling?"I may have borrowed your phone by accident while you were dozing... and called my cell with it..."Hero: Ethan James Blackstone/32 years/Security expert-owner of Blackstone Intl Ltd-former Special Forces/$$$$/black hair/blue eyes/6'3"Heroine: Brynne Bennett/24 years/Art Conservancy graduate student at the University of London-nude model/brown hair/hazel eyesBrynne Bennett's traumatic past is what brings them together and it will unfold throughout the series. Based on everything that has happened she could so easily have fallen into the "damsel in distress" category, but she doesn't. I feel she does evoke nurturing emotions without being week. She is working very hard to come to terms with her past and though emotional and irrational at times, she is mostly very pragmatic about her issues.She doesn't realize that their first meeting was well orchestrated by Ethan. She is immediately smitten with him and once she's had sex with Ethan she is hooked. But even though Brynne falls easily for Ethan's intense seduction she is the one putting the brakes on their relationship. Ethan has to work hard, probably harder than ever before at wooing her.Five words to describe Brynne: Tenuous, determined, fragile, enchanting and compelling.Ethan Blackstone is one of my all-time favorite heroes. He is the uber-sexy, beyond handsome and elusive man-whoring playboy. Having put all his focus into building his empire has afforded him wealth, fame and women at his feet.But that was all before he saw the photo of his American girl. Now he has his sight on her. And just like in poker, winning is the only option. He is relentless:"He didn't ask. Ethan took."Six words to describe Ethan Blackstone: Unforgettable, dominant, enigmatic, smart, captivating and driven. Ethan, like Brynne, has a dark past that will unfold over the span of the series.Naked is nothing short of a magnificent and all-consuming roller-coaster of romance, sex, secrets, suspense and intrigue only to come to a mind-blowing, chocking cliffhanger ending. But no worries, just open up book 2, All in, for the continuation of their story.Addictive and suspenseful plot! Spellbinding storytelling. Unforgettable Ethan! A must-read series! Thanks Ms. Miller!"I don't want you to go yet. I like having you here with me. You soothe me, baby. He rested his head on top of mine. You are my ray of light in a fog of ignorance and frustration."***Hero rating: 5+ starsHeroine rating: 5 starsSex scenes rating: 5+ starsSex scenes frequency: 5 starsStoryline concept rating: 5 starsStorytelling skills rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 5 stars************************************************Overall rating: 5 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

Well hawt damn - I've just been introduced to Ethan Blackstone & wowser did i fall into lust & love with this man all in one go.This is Book 1 in what I know is going to be an amazing series. From start to finish I was hooked on this fast paced, angsty & passionately intense story between my devilishly handsome Brit - Ethan & his beautifully exquisite American Girl - Brynne. From the moment their eyes met across the Gallery I could feel their connection crackle & truly what better way to start their super charged relationship than having this devastatingly handsome man make you feel safe & wanted.As the game of push & pull takes hold, I loved the twists & turns in the story that kept tugging me into their world deeper & deeper, wondering which direction Raine was going to go with this broken & damaged pair. Both have secrets that threaten to drown them, yet who somehow they find themselves utterly consumed with each other. The raw passion & flames of desire that lick between them, seriously had me all hot & flustered - Ethan is one dominant selfless lover & boy does he know how to please. Yet the man is so much more as I was watched how the intensity of his love for his woman, his light, his heart soared. It caused butterflies to flutter & so many happy sighs to fall from my lips.My heart hurt come the end, because damn did that man drop the ball - stooopid fool, but it made me desperately need to move onto Book 2 as I am nowhere near ready to let this couple go. Fab read, great characters. Need more.

4 Sizzling Stars!!I was fortunate to receive a copy of Naked from The Hot Bed/Simon & Schuster UK in exchange for an honest review.This is the first book in the Blackstone Affair series and Brynne in my opinion is a strong, confident, independent young woman and given her torment which we've yet to find out the full details of, she remains strong...I liked her and thought she was sassy but where Ethan is concerned her willpower shrunk, he'd turn her into a wanton quivering wreck within seconds and that'll be because he happens to be all alpha male, strong, masculine, extremely sexy and well gifted in the bedroom department...Oh my lord the sex scene in this book smoking, the sexual tension sizzling....cold shower was required, lol.This is quite a short book so a nice easy read and I have rated it 4 stars and my reasons for this are simply because although it is very well written and I enjoyed it I wasn't hooked, I could happily put it down and pick it back up again. Would I read the rest in the series...I'm not sure as I wasn't gripped by it but you never know and I would definitely say read it for yourself, after all what floats one persons boat might not float another and vice versa so give it a go because Ethan Blackstone is freaking HOT!!Here's a few of my favourite quotes:“That picture changed everything. I was not the same after I saw it and I couldn’t go back to the man I’d been before seeing it either. Not after we met that night on the street. My whole world altered because of a photograph. A photograph of my beautiful American girl.”“Waterloo.” He looked at me and smiled. “Waterloo is your safe word?”“I want to be with you so badly right now. I want to take you home with me, and put you in my bed and have hours and hours with your body wrapped up in mine to do with as I wish. I want to have you there in the morning so when we wake up I can make you come, saying my name.”“…The terrors are real. They come in the night when I sleep. I try to fight them but they nearly always win. Everything is dark because my eyes are closed. But I hear the sounds. Cruel words about someone, disgusting words and names. And terrifying laughter… They think it’s funny to degrade this person. My body feels heavy and weak. Still I hear them laughing and replaying all of the evil they have done…”“Because you’re very special, Brynne.”“How special, Ethan?” I whispered because I was a little frightened to hear. I was frightened of my own feelings for him already. In such a short time he’d possessed me.“For me? As special as it gets, baby.” He smiled his signature one side up twist and made my stomach flutter.”

WOW! That was unexpected, what a great start to a new series. Fans of Sylvia Day's Crossfire series will love this!We meet Brynne, the American Girl over in England studying as an art restorer, but in her free time she does nude photographic modelling for her good friend Benny. It also helps pay the rent on her flat in Southwark.When Benny hosts a show, its no surprise that her partially nude canvas sells like a delicious hot cake, into the hands of a successful businessman in the city, called Ethan Blackstone. As he stakes his claim on her canvas, he can't help but acknowledge the woman across the room, the beautiful girl that casts an uncanny resemblance to the one in his acquired artwork, as he sets out to push that claim, a little further. Enthralled by this girl, he wants to get to know her, and its only a matter of time before he makes her, his.Brynne is taken with his forward demeanour and his no bull attitude. Ethan is a taker, what he sees is what he gets, the ever ruthless businessman and pursuing his desires for Brynne is no exception, but yet, shes running scared. He intimidates her and makes her weak with desire in the same breath, her confusion and fears stem from a past occurrence that has seen her in therapy for the last six years. For she has scars, and she isn't ready to open them just yet.When Ethan makes his desires known, with the promise that he can be trusted - after all, he does provide security for the elite, his company a world leader in its field. Especially with the approaching 2012 Olympics on contract, Brynne starts to relax and take advantage of all the gifted talents he has to offer.Just as things start to look spritely, Brynne's past starts to rear its head, and maybe Ethan hasn't been totally honest with the woman he is falling in love with after all....*This book is sweltering hot, with a heroine that is likeable and an alpha male that got me well and truly hot under the collar. I would have given this book five stars, if it wasn't for the fact its another 'teaser' series. With that I mean, its literally one novel being broken down into itsy bitsy pieces. Many erotica authors are taking this angle lately, and its bugging the hell out of me. Write a book, release the book and let the reader enjoy it in its entirety, because quite frankly, this book is awesome, and if I had the whole thing in my kindle, I probably would have read it all in one go until stupid AM, and gave it a mindblowing 5 stars. Nevertheless, regardless of my little rant, I am definitely rolling with the rest of this series, because I absolutely loved it!4 stars.

I am sort of becoming addicted to these type of stories however it is quite difficult to find the really good ones out of the fifty shades explosion that is happening right now. I'm afraid to say that this was one of the weak ones for me in fact I couldn't force myself to finish it.The first thing which annoyed me is if you are going to set a book in another country do your research first. Naked is set on London and Ethan is English. In England we do not Advil we have Nurofen and we do not refer to our mobile phones as a cell phone we call them mobiles.Secondly and this is the major reason why I didn't finish the book is that there was no character development. Because the book is so short we never get a chance to learn about the characters. Brynne and Ethan meet, jump into bed virtually straight away and then declare love for each other. I found it just ridiculous.This book has got lots of great reviews and 5 stars however it was definitely not for me and I am going to give it 1 star.

It all started with the image on the cover of this book for both the author and for me. It inspired the author to write the story and for me to read it.This is a compact novella which packs a punch from the first line. It tells the story of Brynne Bennett, an American art student come nude model and Ethan Blackstone a British ex Special Forces now owner of an elite security firm. This is the first part of a trilogy and tells of the meeting of the couple in a London Art Gallery and how their hot, erotic relationship develops. It all starts when Ethan buys the portrait that Brynne posed for (hence the cover of the book!)Ethan is an absolute dominant, alpha male who is off the charts hot. Brynne is a beautiful subservient woman who has been through a severe trauma in her past. Unbeknown to Brynne, her father has hired Ethan to ensure her safety due to elements relating to her past that are taking fruition and could spell danger for her.I liked that this book takes place in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics so is very current. But I loved the relationship build up and mostly because of Ethan Blackstone. Even the name gives a pleasurable feeling let alone his looks, his manner and his sexiness!The chemistry and sexual tension between Ethan and Brynne is off the hook! And as for the purple tie? Whoohoo - what a smexy man! The ending of this book left me thinking "No! What the hell? Luckily I had the second part loaded up on my kindle, if not I would have been so peeved. Therefore be warned when reading this - it is the first part, but leaves you begging for more. I can't wait!